Why do many airlines simultaneously warn about spare batteries?

Illustration photo. Photo: Internet

Vietjet Air has recently updated regulations on carrying spare batteries on flights, based on Directive No. 1027 dated February 26 issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam to strictly control items containing lithium batteries to ensure absolute safety in aviation operations.

Under the new regulations, passengers must remove the power bank from their carry-on luggage and place it in a visible location throughout the flight. Charging power banks in any form is strictly prohibited, and power banks are not allowed to be used to charge personal devices during the flight.

Previously, Vietnam Airlines also issued a warning against checking spare batteries in luggage. In addition, the airline strictly prohibits passengers from charging devices via USB ports on the plane; each battery must be protected separately and must be completely turned off to prevent the risk of unintentional activation.

Singapore Airlines has just announced a ban on passengers using wireless power banks on flights, this regulation takes effect from April 1.

Thailand's Thai Airways International and Malaysia's Air Asia have also decided to ban the use of power banks on all of their flights.

South Korea-based Air Busan has issued a regulation prohibiting the placement of power banks in the overhead luggage compartment.

According to known information, most of the current backup batteries use Lithium-ion or Lithium-polymer batteries. This type of battery has the ability to store large amounts of energy but is easily affected by external factors such as impact, high temperature or vibration.

When transported as checked baggage, spare batteries may be subjected to sudden changes in pressure. This can easily cause a short circuit, generate high heat and pose a risk of explosion.

In addition, because checked baggage is often subjected to strong impacts during transportation, especially during loading and unloading, the risk of damage to the protective shell of the backup battery is very high, leading to the risk of short circuit and causing fire and explosion, threatening the safety of passengers and aircraft.

Spare batteries are only allowed on planes if they comply with certain regulations, including being carried as carry-on baggage and not checked in. Each passenger is allowed to carry a maximum of 10 batteries with a capacity not exceeding 100Wh. If using a common battery with a voltage of about 5V, the equivalent capacity in mAh is about 20,000.

For batteries with a capacity of 100Wh to 160Wh, regulations allow passengers to carry a maximum of 2 batteries. Spare batteries are only allowed to be carried for personal use, not for business purposes.

Passengers must ensure that the power bank is completely turned off and avoid leaving the device in standby or hibernation mode when boarding the plane. In particular, during take-off and landing, it is absolutely forbidden to use a power bank.

Spare batteries must be stored in their original packaging as when they were first purchased or carefully insulated with tape or a special protective bag to prevent the risk of short circuit or short circuit. In addition, spare batteries must have full information about their origin, capacity and power clearly.

On March 20, an Airbus belonging to Hong Kong Airlines, departing from Xiaoshan Airport (Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China) to Hong Kong, was forced to make an emergency landing at Changle International Airport (Fuzhou, Fujian) after a spare battery in the carry-on luggage compartment suddenly caught fire.

Earlier this year, an Air Busan flight from Busan to Hong Kong caught fire at Gimhae Airport in Busan, with the cause suspected to be related to a power bank. In response to this situation, airlines in South Korea and Taiwan have tightened regulations on carrying power banks on board.

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